Toxic Assets

In reading about the twists and turns in the current economy, not a paragraph seems to go by when I don’t read the phrase “toxic assets.” For example, the financial system is spiraling downward due to “toxic assets”; the Fed needs to remove the “toxic assets” from the balance sheets of giant banks and financial institutions and the Treasury needs to establish a “bad bank” to house all of the “toxic assets,” etc. etc.

The term “toxic assets” strikes me as an oxymoron, like “jumbo shrimp,” “old news” or “definite maybe.” How can an “asset” be “toxic” and something “toxic” is an “asset”? It is a puzzling term. Eventually it occurred to me that the term actually has real value. And, in keeping with our subject of Careering Today, let me offer this example of why it works.

Obviously, being engaged in a job search can be an anxious and stress inducing experience. You need to do everything possible to keep up your spirits and remain as positive and upbeat as possible. Successful job searches depend on it. One critical technique in remaining positive is by surrounding yourself with people, places and possessions that are upbeat and enhance your mood.

Stay Non-Toxic
Most of us have friends, family, and activities in our lives that bring us joy and satisfaction. We all know some are more joyous than others. It is important to surround yourself as much as possible with those who lift your spirits and limit interaction with those who drain your energy. You don’t always have the luxury of choice in the matter. Be aware of your reaction to people, places and things and be selective where you can. We need a variety of people and activities in our lives, but at times we need to differentiate between which lift us up and which bring us down. Guess which are the “toxic assets”?

Further, you most likely own a collection music CD’s, an iPod, DVDs, books, a television or other sources of entertainment. Try to read the positive books, not the weepers. Listen to upbeat music, not dirges. Watch comedies, not tragic stories. Having these possessions may be considered a portion of your “assets,” but surrounding yourself with any “downers” right now is — you got it — a toxic asset.

As you go through this — or any — stressful period in your life, surround yourself with mood inducers which serve as a “tonic,” not a “toxic.” Those are your true assets.

Hope this gives you some things to consider. Let’s hear from you. What do you do to stay positive and keep lift your spirits? We’d like to know.

Keep Careering Today and Everyday!
Mark